Horry County Police Chief Johnny Morgan had to keep it a secret for a month that one of his officers Derrick Suggs had been selected as a recipient of a renovated home on the show Extreme Home Makeover.
And, he was glad to do it for a such a deserving policeman.
"He is just an outstanding officer," said Morgan. "He goes out and above the normal call of duty, especially when it comes to children."
Morgan said his dedication to the community and to children shows not only during his work hours but at home.
Suggs and his wife adopted some of her siblings, when she noticed they were struggling at home.
"He's done an amazing job with those kids. Two of them are in the military and one of them just got married," Morgan said. "He was was raising them and helping them get through school while having two kids of their own. To do all that on an officer's salary just shows how outstanding his is."
But Suggs would not have come to the attention of the Extreme Home Makeover team on his own.
It was his COT mates, or Community Orientation Team, that wrote the letter that got Suggs and his family selected for the show.
"He was a private person," Morgan said. "He wouldn't go out talking about the condition of his home. If it wasn't for his fellow COT officer hanging out and stopping by his house they would have never known."
When Suggs' floor looked like it was about to fall in his teammates pitched in to repair it as best they could.
As an officer Suggs is exemplary as well, Morgan said.
In 2009, Suggs and another officer were commended for helping to resuscitate an infant who had stopped breathing.
Suggs also actively participates in the "Shop with a Cop" program.
"He does that on his own time," Morgan said. "It's so heartwarming to see the community band together for someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty."
